Mennonite Church USA joins lawsuit to protect houses of worship from immigration raids

Mennonite Church USA, headquartered in Elkhart, has joined forces with over two dozen Christian and Jewish organizations to file a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

This coalition is contesting the DHS's recent revocation of a policy that previously safeguarded churches, hospitals, and schools from immigration enforcement activities. The controversial decision to rescind the sensitive locations policy, enacted during the Trump administration, has drawn significant criticism from various religious groups.

These organizations assert that the new directive infringes upon their First Amendment rights and violates the principles stated in the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The plaintiffs argue that this policy change not only disrupts their religious practices but also endangers the safety and sanctity of their places of worship. Kelsi Corkran, lead counsel for the plaintiffs and representative of ICAP Supreme Court, criticizes the DHS's abrupt policy shift as a violation of constitutional rights.

"The Department of Homeland Security’s sudden decision to rescind the sensitive locations policy and subject places of worship to immigration enforcement action is a clear violation of Plaintiffs’ rights under the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act,” she stated.

Corkran reiterates the coalition's commitment to pursuing legal action to reinstate the protections that were previously provided to sensitive locations.
This multifaith coalition's lawsuit draws attention to the broader implications of the DHS's policy change, highlighting the ongoing tension between immigration enforcement and religious liberty. By initiating this legal fight, the religious groups aim to assert that places of worship should be seen as sanctuaries free from government intrusion.